Japanese Restaurant Crown Casino
Sometimes you just want to be sure when you head out on your lunch break that the fried chicken in your sushi roll won’t have a beak, and who can blame you? Which is why we’ve done all the hard work for you and tracked down a whole stack of the best sushi in Melbourne.
Admire the highly skilled chefs as you enjoy world-renowned Japanese cuisine from both the innovative a la carte menu and special $120 Festive Omakase Lunch menu. For intimate celebrations, host a function in the bar, private dining room or in the unique Teppanyaki area. In Australia, Japanese food is fresh, easily accessible and affordable, so it’s with great interest that I head to Nobu, one of many fine-dining restaurants in Melbourne’s mega Crown Casino complex, to see if, after nearly five years in business, it can possibly offer anything more special than my favourite local Japanese restaurant, Tori. Nobu is the world's most recognised Japanese restaurant and is known for its innovative 'New Style' Japanese cuisine. Esteemed Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his reputable fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with South American flavours to create the unique dining experience that is Nobu. Nobu is the world's most recognised Japanese restaurant and is known for its innovative new style Japanese cuisine. Esteemed Chef Nobu Matsuhisa brings his reputable fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with South American flavours to create the unique dining experience that is Nobu.
Here are our faves:
Gaijin
South Yarra
Japanese Restaurant Near Crown Casino
These guys are basically the sushi overlords of Melbourne. This Japanese fusion restaurant dishes up a plethory of contemporary and creative takes on old Japanese faves, but more importantly, start fasting now because Gaijin offers ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI FOR $42 (and sushi + sashimi for fiddy dollas).
Shoya
Melbourne CBD
Located in the CBD’s Market Lane, this Japanese restaurant is spread over no less than SIX levels, including a top-shelf sushi bar (and karaoke rooms!!). Shoya’s a little on the ‘spenny side, with a minimum spend of $65 per person, but holy hell it’s worth the cash money.
Kenzan
Melbourne CBD
If you’re anywhere near Collins Place in the city, stop watcha doin’ and head right on over to Kenzan, which has been one of Melbourne’s finest Japanese restaurants for almost three decades. Here you can treat yourself to the freshest sushi and sashimi on the market in addition to other Japanese classics, such as steamed prawn dumplings.
Saké Restaurant & Bar
Melbourne CBD
Nestled on the banks of the Yarra (more specifically in the Hammer Hall Arts Centre) you’ll find Saké Restaurant & Bar, which is renowned locally for its contemporary Japanese grub. This world class fusion of classic and modern dishes includes, but is not limited to, our crowd favourite Japanese dish–sushi, courtesy of their sublime sushi bar.
Izakaya Den
Melbourne CBD
This bad boy is an absolute nightmare to find, but once you spot the iconic stairwell on Russell Street, any memory of your earlier heavily worded chat to Siri will be out the window. Like a basement straight out of Tokyo, Izakaya Den has nailed traditional Japanese decor, and of course the sushi roll, which is almost always served by an attentive and polite waiter. Put this sushi hotspot of your list, and give yourself an hour to find it.
Nobu
Japanese Restaurant Crown Casino No Deposit
Southbank
Sit yourself down coz we’re about to get a ‘lil bit fancy up in here. We’ll start off by saying that Nobu is located in Crown Casino, so ditch those diamante-studded Havaianas because this is quite literally some of the highest quality Japanese cuisine in the city. Nobu’s reputation is a result of its acclaimed success all over the world in its several other global locations, so if you’re after good sushi, you can be assured you’ll find it here.
Komeyui
Port Melbourne
Head on over to Komeyui in Port Melbourne for your next serve of world-class sushi. This authentic Japanese restaurant serves up delicious sushi, sashimi and omakase, and is always packed, which is a surefire way of knowing it’s good. Komeyui are focused on perfection and attention to detail, which means the rice is fluffy and the platters are perfect. So, if you’re trying to impress that special someone (or just your own stomach), bring them to Komeyui.
Minamishima
Richmond
Lock up your wallets, because it’s easy to spend up big at Minamishima in Richmond. This luxury Japanese restaurant offers some of the best sushi in Melbourne (which is why it’s on this list!), but it also serves up two $150 per person menus, with each item being delivered piece by piece. It’s not your standard sushi experience, but if you’re looking to shake things up (including your wallet), pop this one on the top of your list.
Mr. Miyagi
Windsor
Not only does it take its name from the the Japanese cult classic, The Karate Kid, but Mr Miyagi has been setting bars and kicking goals on the sushi scene since 2013. This Asian fusion restaurant doesn’t offer up sushi per se, but rather several delicious and modern alternatives including its Salmon Nori Taco with grilled salmon belly, sushi rice, spicy napa cabbage, Japanese mayo and chilli oil.
En Izakaya
Balaclava
This Balaclava Japanese restaurant is similarly renowned locally for its traditional cuisine with a modern twist. On offer at En Izakaya is always a selection of top-shelf salmon and hamachi kingfish sushi as well as the classic nigiri variety.
Toko
Prahan
This sushi oasis has outposts in both Sydney and Dubai, as well as our very own Melbourne, which means this bad boy definitely serves up the good stuff. Situated on Prahran’s poppin’ Greville Street, Japanese eatery, Toko, serves up some of the best authentic sushi on the Melbourne food scene thanks to its staff of expertly trained chefs.
Hinoki Japanese Pantry
Fitzroy
This little hidden gems doubles as both a Japanese grocer and sushi bar. Once you’ve finished perusing the aisles of Hinoki Japanese Pantry on Fitzroy’s Smith Street, and stockpiling all the gyoza you can carry, stop by the counter for some freshly made (and super delish) sushi.
Want more of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne? Search ‘Japanese’ in our Directory!
Image credit: Louise Coghill
The Crown Entertainment Complex, located on the banks of the Yarra River is a centre for entertainment. There are restaurants, bars and hotels as well as chances to gamble the night away.
Shops stay open till midnight, there are international shows, movies, lots of eateries and places to drink. Crown is fast becoming a world-class dining precinct, with more than 40 restaurants and bars and some new big names on site.
Neil Perry’s Rockpool Bar & Grill and Nobu, the world renowned Japanese-owned gastro-temple are housed in a spectacular two-storey $10 million setting. Those who like live music, the venue called Crown Live features jazz, Latin, blues, soul, along with contemporary rock. Fusion is a new club found on level 3 of the Crown Entertainment Complex.
As they say “There is always something happening at Crown.”
Crown Towers Hotel
The Crown Towers Hotel in Melbourne is located by the incredible shopping, round the clock entertainment and excitement of the Crown Entertainment Complex. You are also located within a short walking distance to the Melbourne City Centre, the Central Business District.
Restaurants located in the Crown Entertainment Complex include some of the finest restaurants to be found in Melbourne Australia. There are also a number of great cafés, bars, snack bars and banqueting rooms.
Restaurants
- Breezes - provincial cuisine at its best.
- Conservatory - Great place for breakfast, but also does buffet lunches and dinners.
- JJs Bar and Grill - Elegant dining with late night live entertainment available on weekends and some weekdays.
- Koko - Superb Japanese dining.
- Nobu - Japanese with modern South American influences.
- Number 8 - New York with modern Euro influence, great wine list.
- Silks - splendid Cantonese within an elegant setting.
- Santé - Extensive buffet.
The Crown Towers Hotel Melbourne - 8 Whiteman Street Southbank. This hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Melbourne.
See the location of the Crown Casino on the Melbourne Australia Map Map of Melbourne - Victoria Tourist Guide.
Melbourne City Centre
Sweeping efforts at modernization in the Melbourne city centre have occurred in the past 20 years. Highlights include Southgate, with major shopping, food and entertainment centres, the new Museum of Victoria and the Tennis Center.
Major national events such as the Australian Grand Prix have been attracted to Melbourne, and renovation and restoration of the city’s buildings is continuing.
As a result of this rejuvenation of the Melbourne CBD, is that residents have wanted to be in the midst of it. Many have left the suburbs and moved into the city itself.
The waterfront is continuing to be transformed as has the older inner city into new and attractive residential areas. Through it all, Melbourne Australia remains affordable, welcoming and a place to relax and be yourself while exploring one of the great cities of the world.
Melbourne Hotels and Accommodation
You can find accommodation throughout Melbourne Australia: luxury resorts such as the Crown Towers Hotel to budget backpackers, including in the Melbourne city centre and Southbank. Accommodation here includes a wide range of styles to suit almost any budget.
There are even Melbourne seaside resorts, conveniently located hotels, bed & breakfasts near the beach or in the city center or suburbs, serviced apartments and luxury holiday homes.
Main Photo: Crown Casino Melbourne
Photo: Sign outside the Crown Casino